Things you miss about Britain

[newjez]

On 30/06/2021 at 06:44, HappyHeart said:

Oh Parley....that's the most boring thing on the menu...very Aussie though

Mine is a lamb Madras. 

[HappyHeart]

5 hours ago, newjez said:

Mine is a lamb Madras. 

Less boring. 

[HappyHeart]

5 hours ago, newjez said:

Mine is a lamb Madras. 

On the breakfast menu mine is salmon eggs Benny or maybe pancakes (which I usually regret as too sweet)

On the lunch menu I usually go for the health bowl options or the fish. Never order anything involving burger or chips. So unimaginative. 

 

[Marisawright]

On 29/06/2021 at 13:43, Paul1Perth said:

Specially if you're in a pub. Funnily enough coffee/restaurants seem to be as popular as pubs here. 

That's not funny, that's just normal for Australia, just like it's normal in most European countries.  In Sydney and Melbourne, cafés and restaurants are much more important for socialising than the pub.  Pubs are for tourists, young people, bikers or nostalgic Brits.  It doesn't surprise me if it's the same in other capitals.   I think it's the huge wave of Greek and Italian migrants after the war who changed the emphasis. 

I think that's one of the things that make it hard for some Brits to settle. If their social world centred round the pub in Britain, they don't know what to do with themselves in Oz.

[Blue Flu]

On 29/06/2021 at 10:59, HappyHeart said:

It was about a quarter full and the time limit was 2 hours. (If fullly booked) We sat down at 6.30pm. I don't bother with 60 or even 90 min sittings. It's pointless. We go to dinner to socialise and enjoy a leisurely meal not bolt our dinner and rush home.

Indeed. Going out to dine should be considered an evening event lasting quite possibly three hours. Anything else is purely a nosh joint of the basic variety. I stopped going to a very good Pizzeria a very short walk from us in Leederville, a few years back when they always wanted to give a time we had the table for. This included a time ordered two bottles of wine, obviously unable to finish over the course of an hour. Result had to cork and take bottle with us. Never been back. Always crowded though . No idea if same policy applies. This would not be dared suggested in Roma , so why he thinks he could get away with it here is rather suggestive.   

[Bulya]

4 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

That's not funny, that's just normal for Australia, just like it's normal in most European countries.  In Sydney and Melbourne, cafés and restaurants are much more important for socialising than the pub.  Pubs are for tourists, young people, bikers or nostalgic Brits.  It doesn't surprise me if it's the same in other capitals.   I think it's the huge wave of Greek and Italian migrants after the war who changed the emphasis. 

I think that's one of the things that make it hard for some Brits to settle. If their social world centred round the pub in Britain, they don't know what to do with themselves in Oz.

You’ve nailed it.  Brits life mainly revolves around g ball and talking about it at a pub. Thankfully it isn’t like that here.

[Blue Flu]

On 29/06/2021 at 11:28, Parley said:

An hour or an a hour and a half would be about the max for me. No way i could sit there for 3 hours.

I would get way too restless and there is only so much chit chat in my armory. It won't last 3 hours.

There is a vast difference if the event is an occasion then three hours pass quickly. Best scenario is when customers are treated as adults and giving the option of time duration. Obviously fifteen minute cyclers would prove more profitable for Le Patron, but eating out is an experience in many cultures to meet up, discuss, laugh and celebrate life. Not a race to fill the stomach. It is a social event in itself. This is what separates dinning out, from Fast Food joints which can impose time limitations, but are too often grim enough that people don't linger longer than necessary anyway. 

As for running out of conversation. Just do what a lot of the young ones do these days. Just pull your phone out and go on Facebook. 

[Parley]

6 hours ago, newjez said:

Mine is a lamb Madras. 

When i go to my local Indian for takeaway i always get the Balti Lamb, Saffron Rice and Naan Brad.

Not really sure of the difference but i have had Chicken Madras and a Beef something or other. If i take my daughter to dine in, i let her order for both of us and we share as a communal meal.

The main thing for me is they aren't too hot. Once someone got me to try a beef vindaloo and it nearly killed me.

Edited July 2, 2021 by Parley

[Blue Flu]

20 minutes ago, Marisawright said:

That's not funny, that's just normal for Australia, just like it's normal in most European countries.  In Sydney and Melbourne, cafés and restaurants are much more important for socialising than the pub.  Pubs are for tourists, young people, bikers or nostalgic Brits.  It doesn't surprise me if it's the same in other capitals.   I think it's the huge wave of Greek and Italian migrants after the war who changed the emphasis. 

I think that's one of the things that make it hard for some Brits to settle. If their social world centred round the pub in Britain, they don't know what to do with themselves in Oz.

Cafe culture came to Perth than over East. It was just prior to The America's Cup in 85/86. Fremantle especially benefited from being the centre of operations. Pubs were an intricate part of Australian culture , like British, but never managed to harness the atmosphere . Too many were rough drinking barns, with in earlier times women excluded from the public bar. Not that early, as recall it as a child. Pubs lost ground to the cafe culture but to be fair, few went to pubs during the day. There was something of a void in Australian life, just waiting to be filled. 

I 'd agree pubs contribute towards British disenchantment with Australia, but only as a part of the overall picture . A picture that often dims with time, when the initial enthusiasm subsides. That could take three months or thirty years. For those that do feel out of place obviously.   

 

 

 

 

later than over East, it was just prior to The America's Cup 

[ramot]

1 hour ago, Marisawright said:

That's not funny, that's just normal for Australia, just like it's normal in most European countries.  In Sydney and Melbourne, cafés and restaurants are much more important for socialising than the pub.  Pubs are for tourists, young people, bikers or nostalgic Brits.  It doesn't surprise me if it's the same in other capitals.   I think it's the huge wave of Greek and Italian migrants after the war who changed the emphasis. 

I think that's one of the things that make it hard for some Brits to settle. If their social world centred round the pub in Britain, they don't know what to do with themselves in Oz.

My son who came here age 31, said one of the many things he prefers living here is that life doesn’t revolve around the pub. He didn’t realise how much it did where he had lived in England,  until he returned back for a visit, and friends just went to the pub most nights. The climate here is much more conducive to outdoor life.

Having said the above I do usually visit one of two pubs when I’m in Sydney, enjoy an English type of pub meal for a nice change, with no chicken parmigiana on the menu!!!

[Toots]

8 minutes ago, Blue Flu said:

Cafe culture came to Perth than over East. It was just prior to The America's Cup in 85/86. Fremantle especially benefited from being the centre of operations. Pubs were an intricate part of Australian culture , like British, but never managed to harness the atmosphere . Too many were rough drinking barns, with in earlier times women excluded from the public bar. Not that early, as recall it as a child. Pubs lost ground to the cafe culture but to be fair, few went to pubs during the day. There was something of a void in Australian life, just waiting to be filled. 

I 'd agree pubs contribute towards British disenchantment with Australia, but only as a part of the overall picture . A picture that often dims with time, when the initial enthusiasm subsides. That could take three months or thirty years. For those that do feel out of place obviously.   

 

 

 

 

later than over East, it was just prior to The America's Cup 

In the mid 70s I worked as a barmaid for 6 months at the Queens Hotel in Highgate, Perth.  It was a bit of a rough old joint in those days though I did get quite fond of the regulars.  I believe it is quite posh now and renamed the Queens Tavern. We lived in Mount Lawley and after the 6 months returned to the UK.  Came back to Australia for good in 1981.

This is what the Queens looked like when I worked there.  A nice Irish family owned it at that time.

 

[Marisawright]

53 minutes ago, ramot said:

My son who came here age 31, said one of the many things he prefers living here is that life doesn’t revolve around the pub. He didn’t realise how much it did where he had lived in England,  until he returned back for a visit, and friends just went to the pub most nights.

I think that played a big part in why I didn't settle in the UK, too.  There are some nice pubs in Sydney for lunch, especially the ones with an outdoor eating area and a view, but I was always far more likely to be found in a café or Cheap Eats restaurant - or dancing or walking or whatever!  

[Paul1Perth]

2 hours ago, Bulya said:

You’ve nailed it.  Brits life mainly revolves around g ball and talking about it at a pub. Thankfully it isn’t like that here.

It wasn't just football, every sport or sports venue had a bar. The squash club I was a member of in the UK had a brilliant pub  in the same building. Had a gym, sauna, steam room too. Always went for a pint after a game or visit to the gym. Squash club I was a member here had a bar and a BYO policy, so cheaper, plenty of drinking after games though.

Frinds I do tri training with thought I was nuts when I suggested going to the pub after training. Luckily there's another English guy keen for a pint. The pub do coffee and food too, so we sat and had our beers and the rest hadcoffee. Suited everyone.

[Parley]

3 hours ago, Blue Flu said:

There is a vast difference if the event is an occasion then three hours pass quickly. Best scenario is when customers are treated as adults and giving the option of time duration. Obviously fifteen minute cyclers would prove more profitable for Le Patron, but eating out is an experience in many cultures to meet up, discuss, laugh and celebrate life. Not a race to fill the stomach. It is a social event in itself. This is what separates dinning out, from Fast Food joints which can impose time limitations, but are too often grim enough that people don't linger longer than necessary anyway. 

As for running out of conversation. Just do what a lot of the young ones do these days. Just pull your phone out and go on Facebook. 

If it is a big group I agree that you can mingle a bit and talk for longer and could probably stretch to 3 hours if i can walk around a bit. In a pub setting you can go up to the bar etc and stand up and chat to different people.

A dinner for 2 I could not cope with more than an hour and a half. Plus they will be totally bored with me after an hour.

Edited July 2, 2021 by Parley

[HappyHeart]

1 hour ago, Parley said:

If it is a big group I agree that you can mingle a bit and talk for longer and could probably stretch to 3 hours if i can walk around a bit. In a pub setting you can go up to the bar etc and stand up and chat to different people.

A dinner for 2 I could not cope with more than an hour and a half. Plus they will be totally bored with me after an hour.

Doesn’t it depend who the other person is? Why would your dinner partner be bored with you? You’ve got lots of opinions to share! 

[Blue Flu]

4 hours ago, Toots said:

In the mid 70s I worked as a barmaid for 6 months at the Queens Hotel in Highgate, Perth.  It was a bit of a rough old joint in those days though I did get quite fond of the regulars.  I believe it is quite posh now and renamed the Queens Tavern. We lived in Mount Lawley and after the 6 months returned to the UK.  Came back to Australia for good in 1981.

This is what the Queens looked like when I worked there.  A nice Irish family owned it at that time.

 

I recall you saying that in an earlier post. I know The Queens well. I lived close to that pub around your time. I trust we weren't in part that influenced your impression that the pub was rough. But honestly, most pubs has varying degree of roughness back in the day. Aggro was common. 

Indeed when in 88 next spent a few evenings there on a visit, a change of ambiance. These days not exactly posh, but easily  safe enough to have a night out in without the likelihood  of witnessing violence .

 

[Blue Flu]

24 minutes ago, HappyHeart said:

Doesn’t it depend who the other person is? Why would your dinner partner be bored with you? You’ve got lots of opinions to share! 

Some express better in online terms than face to face . Plenty of 'events' been to where conversation, if it can even be called that is laboured . Common ground and/or joint points of interest being near to non existant.

[Blue Flu]

2 hours ago, Parley said:

If it is a big group I agree that you can mingle a bit and talk for longer and could probably stretch to 3 hours if i can walk around a bit. In a pub setting you can go up to the bar etc and stand up and chat to different people.

A dinner for 2 I could not cope with more than an hour and a half. Plus they will be totally bored with me after an hour.

But surely a dinner for two would consist of the other half possessing some point of reference in commonality? Otherwise it would more likely be a nosh shop or fat food or cafe? In that case three hours would unlikely be needed. Probably lucky to see an hour out. 

[ramot]

6 hours ago, Blue Flu said:

There is a vast difference if the event is an occasion then three hours pass quickly. Best scenario is when customers are treated as adults and giving the option of time duration. Obviously fifteen minute cyclers would prove more profitable for Le Patron, but eating out is an experience in many cultures to meet up, discuss, laugh and celebrate life. Not a race to fill the stomach. It is a social event in itself. This is what separates dinning out, from Fast Food joints which can impose time limitations, but are too often grim enough that people don't linger longer than necessary anyway. 

As for running out of conversation. Just do what a lot of the young ones do these days. Just pull your phone out and go on Facebook. 

I think the point you are missing is that pubs and restaurants need to make a profit, or they will go out of business. That’s why it’s quite reasonable to put a time limit on bookings, and take bookings. That is normal practice.  If everyone stays for hours and hours in their favourite pub/restaurant then their favourite won’t be there long.

So many are still recovering from no business due to lockdowns and are lucky if they are sill in business.

of course if you want to pay an exorbitant amount for your meal at a ridiculously expensive restaurant then you probably can stay all night.

Edited July 2, 2021 by ramot

[HappyHeart]

31 minutes ago, Blue Flu said:

Some express better in online terms than face to face . Plenty of 'events' been to where conversation, if it can even be called that is laboured . Common ground and/or joint points of interest being near to non existant.

Agree. I think quiet periods are normal when dining with a close family member or spouse  though. Do some people watching or look at the scenery. Read the paper even. That's what we do. The cafe owners must live us. Lingering over our last flat white or half a glass of whatever. 

[Jon the Hat]

31 minutes ago, ramot said:

I think the point you are missing is that pubs and restaurants need to make a profit, or they will go out of business. That’s why it’s quite reasonable to put a time limit on bookings, and take bookings. That is normal practice.  If everyone stays for hours and hours in their favourite pub/restaurant then their favourite won’t be there long.

So many are still recovering from no business due to lockdowns and are lucky if they are sill in business.

of course if you want to pay an exorbitant amount for your meal at a ridiculously expensive restaurant then you probably can stay all night.

In the UK there is a lot more profit on food than booze generally speaking, so you are right it is tough to let people sit and drink if you are staffing a restaurant.

I think quite a few views of Brits and the pub here went out about 30 years ago.  Very few people's lives revolve around the pub these days, hence why nearly 15,000 pubs closed from 2000 to 2019.  I like a pub, but more for a bit of lunch or dinner on a sunny day, or some live music.  I only catch up with mates maybe 2-3 times a year and just drink.

[Parley]

31 minutes ago, HappyHeart said:

Agree. I think quiet periods are normal when dining with a close family member or spouse  though. Do some people watching or look at the scenery. Read the paper even. That's what we do. The cafe owners must live us. Lingering over our last flat white or half a glass of whatever. 

It is a good sign if you and your husband are happy to chat to each other for over 3 hours. Well done.

[Bulya]

5 hours ago, Paul1Perth said:

It wasn't just football, every sport or sports venue had a bar. The squash club I was a member of in the UK had a brilliant pub  in the same building. Had a gym, sauna, steam room too. Always went for a pint after a game or visit to the gym. Squash club I was a member here had a bar and a BYO policy, so cheaper, plenty of drinking after games though.

Frinds I do tri training with thought I was nuts when I suggested going to the pub after training. Luckily there's another English guy keen for a pint. The pub do coffee and food too, so we sat and had our beers and the rest hadcoffee. Suited everyone.

Today I went to my first pub in over two decades.  Thankfully there was no discussion about g ball and we didn’t drink ale.  Very civilised indeed…

[Tulip1]

7 hours ago, Parley said:

A dinner for 2 I could not cope with more than an hour and a half. Plus they will be totally bored with me after an hour.

You are funny Parley,  that’s made me smile.  You’re in the wrong company!  A good dinner for two can last hours.  I’m sure who you’re with won’t be bored of you and if you run out of chit chat after an hour you can just listen for the remaining several hours (and go for a little walk about)  

[newjez]

15 hours ago, HappyHeart said:

Less boring. 

Quite like a chicken pathia too.

But I've tried them all and I keep coming back to the Madras.